Nichola Neill

The Coleraine councillor was speaking after last night’s decision by members to throw a lifeline to Waterworld in Portrush.

A recommendation had been put forward by Council officers to close the harbour based facility after the Easter holidays.

Members of Council’s Leisure and Development last night agreed on a proposal put forward by cllr Clarke to ‘explore all options for the future’ of the Portrush wet play centre, and in effect give it a lifeline.

Speaking to The Coleraine Times, cllr Clarke said: “Portrush needs a vision for the future - for both the local community and our visitors.

“Taking decisions which erode the tourism offering piece by piece is not the way to move forward.

“In the short term we need to make Waterworld more appealing, address cost issues and market the facility more effectively.

“In the long term, a clear vision is needed for the facility, the resort, and the wider Causeway Coast.

“As a council we need to provide facilities that give visitors a reason to come to and stay in Portrush, not asset-strip whilst the private sector fails to fill voids in facility provision.”